The effect of DREZ (dorsal root entry zone) lesions on intractable pain in patients with spinal cord injury

Some patients with spinal cord injury complain of a severe intractable pain. This intractable pain places new hurdles on the road to return to the ordinary daily life in these patients. The effective therapy for the intractable pain has not been established. Dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesion was originally reported by Nashold et al to alleviate deafferented pain syndrome. Three male and one female patients with intractable pain following spinal cord injury were treated with DREZ-lesions. One month after operation, all 4 patients obtained good pain relief. However, at a follow-up period till February 1989 (ranging 11 months from 2 years and 6 months), 2 patients had subjective pain relief. When other therapies on intractable pain following spinal cord trauma are not effective, the DREZ-lesion might be considered.